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"And so... you have wings. On top of... everything else."
Edward felt his symbiote roommate purr inside him. He smiled with fondness at the recurring feeling: the Bat behaves like a big happy cat on a regular basis, what is frankly adorable.
"I do. Not many of our kind possess this characteristic," the extraterrestrial specified via his low, guttural voice. "I always loved to fly. May I show you?"
"I would like to... know what it feels like..."
Bruce purred some more, his smooth black head bumped against the redhead's cheek. He really resembled a kitty asking for cuddles.
'Bruce'. The Bat allowed his human host assigned him a name, he appreciated the way said appellation rolled on his tongue. He was also fond of hearing Ed and his two children give him affectionate nicknames. These were always... very cute.
"They are beautiful," Eddie whispered when Bruce unfolded two large wings on his back.
The appendages were comparable to giant bat wings, with a cut reminiscent of demon representations you find in fairytales and illustrated novels.
The symbiote hadn't taken over his host's body, only were visible his head attached to Ed's shoulder via a snake-like neck and the strong black wings he introduced to his human for the first time.
Meanwhile Edward trusted Jason and Stephanie not to leave their shared place. His kids may be reckless hurricanes, they wouldn't put themselves at risk whilst their dad agreed to test another charming aspect of his alien roommate's capacities: Bruce swore they would fly tonight.
Hidden in the shadows, standing on the flat roof located on top of his apartment building, both leather-ish venous wings wide open on each side of him and his long ginger hair drawing pumpkin orange waves into the wind, Edward looked like an angel.
An... angel of darkness, perhaps?
"You are beautiful, Eddie Nygma," Bruce mirrored the compliment.
Spending time with a lovely human family who welcomed him in their circle considerably softened the Bat's entire line of conduct.
"You flatterer, trying to make me blush again," Ed smiled, indeed blushing like a schoolgirl at the praise.
He shared an enamored glance with the creature, looking right into the glowing white triangular eyes, then he stroked the smooth black forehead between the symbiote's pointy ears.
It felt like his digits caressed the skin of a... frog.
"Tell me, Bats... how powerful are these wings of yours?"
"Powerful enough to carry you and me wherever we want, little one."
This sounded promising.
Eddie restrained the Dracula-based joke he suddenly felt the need to release. His partner wouldn't understand the reference, but no doubt showing him pictures of imaginary vampires portrayed with wings or able to transform into bats will be funny.
Perhaps at the origin, these legends starring vampires come from actual symbiotes who would have landed on Earth and bonded with humans, who knows?
The wings flapped into the fresh night air. No one will look up, even in the streets where Bruce and Edward noted a lingering human presence despite the late hour.
No one will see them, they were... free to do as they please.
The Bat detected his host's raising excitement for the upcoming activity. It made him feel... proud, to provoke the redhead's genuine enthusiasm.
"Are you ready for your first flight?"
"I am. I really am. I... I trust you..."
Eddie took a deep breath.
Their skin started to merge into one, the symbiote's body recovering Edward's, like a dark oil that engulfed his limbs and finished by closing around his face.
The Bat's posture changed, both of them crouched on the edge of the roof, the wings stretched then folded mildly on their back.
From angelic vision, the entity haunting this roof turned into a terrifying gargoyle watching over.
"Do not worry, Eddie," the large mouth full of spiky teeth murmured in a surprisingly soft intonation. "I've got us."
I know, Edward responded internally, what the symbiote naturally perceived. I trust you.
As if these words were the magical code or a command that triggered the alien's next movements, he abruptly jumped from their spot... and fully unfolded his wings, in order to propel them farther toward the sky.
Bruce noticed the pure, intense euphoria radiating from his human, mixed with the adrenaline and a tiny dose of remaining apprehension.
"I told you, Eddie," the Bat gloated. "Freedom is a delightful feeling."
Edward couldn't agree more.
This is truly what the wings embodied: freedom. And right here right now as they were flying together into the night, Bruce was so happy to share this incredible bonding moment out of time with his dear little human host.